Germans will look to open their Euro campaign with a strong win while Scotland will look to better their performance from previous editions.

Germans will look to open their Euro campaign with a strong win while Scotland will look to better their performance from previous editions.

Germany vs Scotland (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: The wait is finally over as football fans across the globe celebrate the arrival of UEFA Euro 2024. The 17th edition of Europe’s premier international football competition will kick off with a Group A clash between Germany and Scotland tonight (June 14, Friday) at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

All international sporting events arrive with the pressure and expectations to deliver a spectacle and be better than the previous years. It’s much the same for the biggest continental competition in European football.

The German national team is entering the tournament with yet another new manager. This marks their third successive tournament with a change in leadership. German football fans hope that Julian Nagelsmann, the current head aoch, can influence the team’s performance. 

Joachim Low led the Germans in Euro 2020, where they reached the Round of 16. Hansi Flick was the team’s manager that failed to qualify past the group stage in the 2022 World Cup. There’s also a historical significance as this is the first time a UEFA Euro tournament will be entirely hosted by Germany and the first since the German unification.

Scotland is drawn alongside hosts Germany in UEFA Euro 2024’s opening game. Making only their fourth appearance in the continental tournament, the Scots face a daunting challenge. Progressing to the knockout stage won’t be easy for them. Their hopes lie with the former Scottish player and long-serving manager Steve Clarke.

Germany have previously won the championship thrice in 1972, 1980, and 1996. On the other hand, Scotland have only two wins from its three appearances in the tournament. In their previous appearance in 2021, after missing the tournament for 24 years, the Scots failed to register a single win.

Team news 

Germany are without the services of veteran centre-back Mats Hummels, midfielder Leon Goretzka, left-winger Julian Brandt, and forward David Gnarby. Aleksandar Pavlovic was selected for the tournament but had to withdraw due to tonsillitis on Wednesday and has been replaced by Emre Can.

Scotland, too has lost Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak due to injury. Tommy Conway and Lewis Morgan got called to the squad late after Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson were recently ruled out of the tournament.

Verdict

Germany enter the tournament unbeaten in the four friendly games it played in 2024. They have also reached the semi-finals the last three times the country has hosted a major tournament. While Germany is looking to regain its former glory, Scotland is trying to make it past the group stages.

Their qualification for the tournament was divided into two halves. They won five games, lost one, and drew two. However, they could not win any of their final three games of the qualifiers. In the four friendlies they played this year, Scotland have just one win, a 2-0 win against Gibraltar and two losses from the four games they played this year. 

Head-to-head

Germany have an edge over Scotland with eight wins from 17 games. Scotland, on the other hand, have won four games. Both teams played five draws. The last time Germany lost to Scotland was in a friendly game in 1999. They have won three and drawn one game since.

Predicted lineups

Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz

Scotland: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, McTominay, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, Christie; Shankland

When, where and how to watch Germany vs Scotland match in India?

The Germany vs Scotland UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. Action begins at 12.30 am ISt tonight.